COLOMBO: A committed consular service to promptly look into public needs will be established under the Mahinda Chinthana programme, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said.

He made this announcement when he visited the Consular Section of the Foreign Ministry in Colombo yesterday.

The Foreign Minister said the Consular Section visited daily by around 500 people from all parts of the country will be moved to a new location with all facilities by May 1.

He instructed officials to take immediate steps to rectify shortcomings and convert it into a 24 hour operation to give the public a better and more efficient service.

The Minister said his main aim is to ensure that the needs of those arriving from far away places are addressed promptly and minimise inconveniences faced by the public.

He also instructed officials to provide transport facilities to staff members to and from Fort and Bambalapitiya every morning and evening.

The Minister also spoke to several people present and instructed officials to look into their needs and take urgent action to assist them.

The Minister was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bahila.

Senior Officials of the Consular Division including Director General D.M.M. Ranaraja were present.

Bogollagama after assuming duties as the Foreign Minister has inspected several Ministry Departments.